071120 - Los Angeles Weekend4

JULY 11-14, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 54 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Meet the Filipina American ensuring Californians fill out the 2020 Census AS the United States’ decennial population count is underway in the midst of the pandemic, one Filipina American is tasked with making sure California residents, particularly those that are the hardest-to-count, respond to the 2020 Census.

Going into July, the state’s self-response rate now stands at 63.2%, but Ditas Katague, director of the California Complete Count Committee, is continuing to urge communities across the state to submit their questionnaires to increase the percentage and achieve a complete count.

To date, California has allocated over $90 million for its census outreach efforts.

“With our percentage, we’re still outpacing the nation by a little bit. I like to stay in front of the national average, which is at 61.8%. It’s a huge achievement considering what we’re facing,” Katague told media during a recent virtual briefing. “But we still have a lot further to go.”

The census, which can be done by phone, u PAGE A2

WHO says airborne spread of coronavirus is possible amidst growing evidence

by RAE

US tops 3 million COVID-19 cases

ANN VARONA AJPress

DESPITE having downplayed airborne transmission of COVID-19 as rare, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged on Thursday, July 9 the possibility of the coronavirus lingering in the air and spreading between people in crowded in-

door spaces.

The change in stance came after over 200 experts earlier this week signed an open letter to the WHO urging it to revisit its guidelines. They cited research they said showed “beyond any reasonable doubt” that “viruses are released during exhalation, talking, and coughing in micro-droplets small

PH House rejects ABS-CBN’s bid for a new franchise

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

City of Los Angeles unveils new assistance program for at-risk renters Up to 50,000 households can be helped for two months IN an effort to address the mounting financial insecurity among families during the pandemic, the City of Los Angeles has unveiled a new $103 million rent relief program to help lower income renters stay in their homes, the City of LA Housing and Community Investment Department (HDICLA) announced on Wednesday, July 8.

The Emergency Renters Assistance Program was created to offer rent relief for eligible renters in Los Angeles with up to $2,000 in subsidies per household for two months ($1,000 each month that will be paid directly to the landlords).

If the landlords accept the funds, they are agreeing to: drop charge interest or late fees that the tenant owed, not evict the tenant for six months after whenever the city emergency order expires and not enact rent increases for a year after the order expires.

According to the City Council, the Emergency Renters Assistance Program will serve about 50,000 households.

“We know people throughout the city of Los u PAGE A3

enough to remain aloft in the air.”

Research into airborne transmission was piqued by reports of large numbers of people getting sick after indoor gatherings. Many researchers have used the example of a choir rehearsal back in March where more than half of the 61-member u PAGE A2

GIVE US A CHANCE. Angel Locsin joins ABS-CBN employees and supporters in solidarity caravan to press lawmakers to approve a new 25year franchise for the broadcast giant on Friday, July 10. The franchise bid of media giant ABS-CBN was denied on Friday by the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises after a series of hearings. With all eyes on the House panel waiting for the fate of the embattled network, Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez, the chairperson of the House committee, announced that an overwhelming 70 lawmakers voted to adopt the technical working group’s (TWG) report recommending the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

ABS-CBN will remain off-air as a Philippine House of Representatives panel on Friday, July 10, rejected the bills seeking to grant the broadcasting giant a new 25year franchise.

Voting 70 to 11, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted the recommendation of its technical working group to deny the network a new franchise.

Two congressmen inhibited while one abstained.

“The (group) determined that the likely consensus among members of this committee is to disapprove the application of ABS-CBN for another franchise,” Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia said in his reading of the report.

The 11 lawmakers who voted “No” to the resolution denying ABS-CBN a new franchise include Bienvenido Abante Jr, Manila 6th District; Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna party-list; Christopher De Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District; Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Manila 4th District; Gabriel Bordado Jr, Camarines Sur 3rd District; Jose “Ping-Ping” Tejada, North Cotabato 3rd District; Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th District; Mujiv u PAGE A2

Filipino international students across the US grapple with uncertainty over new ICE rule that may force many to leave the country

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

WHEN the current COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States, many university students found themselves wondering whether they’d return to campus from spring break or continue the rest of the semester away from campus to stay safe from the virus spread.

As students again played the waiting

game during summer break, international students were suddenly hit with the news that taking a fully-online course load would mean having to leave the U.S. and their current academic and professional plans.

“I was just in disbelief and was panicking, especially because I haven’t checked if the classes I was registered for are in-person or online,” Andreia Carrillo, a Filipina graduate student at the University of Texas u PAGE A3

For the fourth time, Palawan is named the best island in the world by renowned publication Travel + Leisure.

AJPress photo by Gemma Fabro

Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Palawan recognized as Tagle to Pontifical Council ‘best island in the world’ for Interreligious Dialogue

by AJPRESS

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, with Pope Francis Photo courtesy of Vatican News

THE Vatican on Wednesday, July 8, announced that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is among the new members of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

According to the Vatican, the Pontifical Council is the central office of the Church for the promotion of interreligious dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, in

particular the declaration Nostra aetate.

“It is responsible for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions; encouraging the study of religions; and promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue,” it added.

Aside from Tagle, Cardinals Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui; Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, Vicar Apostolic of Vientiane; Ignatius u PAGE A3

PALAWAN has reclaimed the top spot in international travel magazine Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Islands” list for 2020.

The world-renowned tourist destination garnered 94.83 points in the magazine’s survey, besting 24 other islands in the world “Though it’s difficult to reach from many parts of the world, once travelers get there they can dive in World War II wrecks, explore old-growth rain forests, and paddle one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers at Puerto

Princesa,” Travel + Leisure writer Sara Clemence said in an article published on Wednesday, July 8.

Palawan previously held the top spot in 2013, 2016, and 2017.

Last year, it ranked second with a score of 90.87.

Paros and Milos islands in Greece placed second and third on this year’s list, respectively, followed by Sri Lanka and Koh Lanta island in Thailand.

Boracay, also in the Philippines, earned the 14th spot.

The survey was concluded on March 2, before countries implemented lockdowns in an attempt u PAGE A3

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From the Front Page

WHO says airborne spread of...

PAGE A1 t Skagit Valley Chorale near Seattle, Washington contracted COVID-19 despite having avoided physical contact and there being hand sanitizer at the door.

“We acknowledge that there is emerging evidence in this field,” Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, the technical lead of the WHO task force on infection control, said in a Thursday press conference.

“We have to be open to this evidence and understand its implications regarding the modes of transmission and also regarding the precautions that need to be taken,” he added.

The agency had previously maintained that the coronavirus was primarily spread through respiratory droplets such as when a person sneezes or coughs.

However, it included in its latest transmission guidance that there were reports of outbreaks in crowded indoor spaces that suggest the possibility of aerosol transmission in situations like

“during choir practice, in restaurants, or in fitness classes.”

“There have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 reported in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing,” the WHO said in its updated guidelines.

“In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out,” it added.

It recommended that people avoid enclosed and crowded spaces that have poor ventilation, and to wear fabric masks when it is difficult to maintain physical distance.

The agency also updated its guidance on asymptomatic transmission, or the transmission of the virus from people who are not showing symptoms

and may not know they have the virus.

“Infected people can transmit the virus both when they have symptoms and when they don’t have symptoms,” the agency said.

U.S. tops 3 million COVID-19 cases The WHO did maintain that further studies on airborne transmission would be needed to confirm evidence, and that spread is still largely due to transmission via larger respiratory droplets.

But mounting evidence on airborne transmission may likely change how public health officials and other leaders respond to rising case numbers and go forward with reopening plans.

On Wednesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. surpassed three million, according to data from John Hopkins University.

It set a new one-day record on u PAGE A4

BACK IN GOD’S HOME. Catholics observe physical distancing while attending Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, also known as the Antipolo Church, in Rizal on Friday, July 10. The government has allowed the resumption of religious gatherings at 10-percent seating capacity in areas under general community quarantine beginning Friday.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PH House rejects ABS-CBN’s bid for a...

PAGE A1 t Hataman, Basilan; Sol Aragones, Laguna 3rd District; Stella Luz Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District; and Vilma Santos-Recto, Batangas 6th District.

According to House Legislative Franchises panel chair and Palawan 1st District Representative Franz Alvarez, ABS-CBN can file a motion for reconsideration within the next 24 hours.

The network stopped its operations on May 5 in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease and desist order due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.

The order directed ABS-CBN to shut down its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “sent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law.”

Republic Act No. 7966, which granted the network a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on May 4, 2020.

On June 30, NTC issued two separate orders shutting down ABS-CBN’s digital broadcast on TVPlus in Metro Manila and SKY’s satellite broadcast nationwide.

Nothing to do with ‘press freedom’ In its technical working group (TWG) report, the legislative franchises committee maintained that its decision to deny ABS-CBN a fresh franchise is not related to press freedom.

“By no means can this franchise

application be related to press freedom,” it said in its resolution.

“It is what it is, a denial of a privilege granted by the State because the applicant was seen as undeserving of the grant of a legislative franchise,” it added.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, urged the public to understand “why the decision had to be so.”

“This has by no means been an easy process for anyone involved in these proceedings, and I can assure our kababayans (countrymen) that the final resolution was not arrived at by the committee without serious consideration as to the overall impact it will have on the nation,” Cayetano said.

In late May, the House committees on Legislative Franchises and Good Government and Public Accountability started conducting hearings on tackled ABS-CBN’s franchise application bid.

In these hearings, several issues were brought to light such as the network’s alleged foreign ownership by way of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs), the use of subsidiaries as tax shields, and the dual citizenship of ABSCBN chairman emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III. ABS-CBN, through its representatives, refuted all allegations against the network.

In a statement on Friday following the decision, Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN’s president and chief executive, said the network is

“deeply hurt” about the franchise denial.

“We remain committed to public service, and we hope to find other ways to achieve our mission.

Together with our employees and our audiences all over the world, we share in your sadness over this setback. We look forward to the day when we can again reunite under our broadcast,” Katigbak said.

‘Chilling effect’ Vice President Leni Robredo criticized the House panel’s rejection, claiming that this move might set a “chilling effect” on press freedom.

“Malawak ang implikasyon ng desisyong ito. Mayroon itong chilling effect: Hindi kalabisang isipin na maaaring magbabago ang editorial choices ng ibang pahayagan gawa ng panggigipit na ginawa sa ABS-CBN (This decision has wide implications. This has a chilling effect: it’s not excessive to think that editorial choices of other news organizations might change because of the repression of ABS-CBN),”she said in a statement.

Robredo also pointed out possible repercussions of the decision on ABS-CBN’s thousands of workers.

“Inaalisan nito ng kabuhayan ang libu-libong nasa empleyo ng network, bukod pa ang mga contractual, at ang iba pang mga industriyang nakasalalay sa mga u PAGE A4

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City of Los Angeles unveils new assistance program... Filipino international students across the US...

PAGE A1 t Angeles need assistance, particular our working poor and disenfranchised communities who are hit hardest by both the health and economic impacts of COVID-19,” said LA City Council President Nury Martinez, who created the program along with the HDICLA. According to Martinez, the program is being funded from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and has been described as the biggest citywide rent assistance program in the United States during this pandemic.

The program is open to all renters in the city of LA in multifamily units who make 80% or less than the average median income — $58,450 for a single individual or $83,500 for a family of four.

Applicants will also have to

prove that the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in financial hardship due to a number of factors, like income lost due to reduced hours or workplaces being shut down, medical costs associated with sickness related to the COVID19 virus, increased child care costs due to school closures. Applicants must also demonstrate that their income loss was a result of the emergency measures put forth by the government on March 13, 2020.

Undocumented individuals and families may also apply for the program with assurance that it won’t be used against them; immigration status won’t factor into the program’s eligibility, Martinez said in a news release.

The application period — which begins Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17 between 8 a.m.

PAGE A1 t at Austin, told the Asian Journal.

Like Carrillo, over 1 million other international students were shocked after the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Monday, July 6 that students may be forced to leave the country if their universities go online.

Under the new guidelines, non-immigrant students taking a full course load online must leave the U.S. or take “other measures” such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction. If they left the U.S. during the pandemic or for summer break, they will be prohibited from returning.

Students may stay though if their universities take a hybrid approach of online and in-person instruction.

“If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings,” the ICE announcement said.

The news was a blow to international students who like Carrillo, made the choice to pursue studies in the U.S. for its opportunities. Astronomy was not an established field of study in the Philippines.

Originally from Baliuag, Bulacan, Philippines — an hour away from Manila — Carrillo came to the U.S. when she was 17 to do her undergraduate study at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where she double majored in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Interdisciplinary Physics and graduated with highest honors.

She then went on to pursue her Ditas Katague, the director of the California Ph.D. in Astronomy at UT Austin.

Complete Count and 11:59 p.m. each day — is not first-come-first-served and residents who may be qualified can begin the application process by visiting https://hcidla.lacity.org/ or calling (844) 944-1868 during the application period.

Because the city expects demand for the program will overwhelmingly eclipse supply, applicants will be chosen at random from a pool and those who were not selected this time around will be placed on a waiting list if more funding becomes available.

“Demand will be high and serve as a reminder that the federal government must offer billions more in housing assistance if we are going to help all who need assistance to remain in their homes during and after this pandemic,” Martinez added. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Meet the Filipina American ensuring Californians...

PAGE A1 t online or mail, counts where individuals live as of April 1. Currently, the counties that are leading in responses are San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Marin, Orange and Ventura.

Katague — who served in the governor’s office of planning and research as director of the 2010 census and was chair of the Census Bureau’s national advisory committee on race, ethnic and other populations since 2015— credited the higher response rates this year to the longer time to plan outreach and the analysis of previous data to see what the structural barriers were that “prevent us from getting an accurate count and prevent our communities from being counted and seen.”

“I got to see the operations of the U.S. Census Bureau and how it’s designed and how it will continue to miss a lot of people of color,” she said, adding that children under five years old are another demographic at risk for being undercounted.

With California having the largest Filipino population in the country at over 1.6 million Filipinos, Katague reminded that the latest census will continue to divide more than $675 billion in federal funding and resources, from medical services to infrastructure projects, to communities. States lose approximately $2,000 per person each year for the 10 next years for those who are missed in the count.

It also is used to determine the number of seats each state gets in the House of Representatives and to draw legislative districts.

“It’s so important because it brings the fair share of our representation back to our communities. That’s why the census is so important, it brings money,” she said. “But most importantly as a Filipino American, it shows how we’re growing and to have the data and to not just lump us in with [Asian and Pacific Islanders].”

In Los Angeles County, which is the hardest-to-count city and county in California and where a majority of Fil-Ams in the state call home, the response rate from the demographic has been above average (64.7% of Tagalog speakers versus 57.4% for the entire county), as of mid-June.

However, an area that continues to fall below the average response rates includes Historic Filipinotown, due to factors like residents being foreign-born and not understanding the importance of the census or multiple families

living in one household. (The 2020 Census is available in 12 languages, including Tagalog.)

“The key thing for our community is many households have multi-generations — living with lola or lolo and saying with them, or tita is staying over and then they’ll often see an undercount because they won’t report everyone. Maybe tita’s not supposed to be living there at that time or maybe they think they’ll get their own forms,” Katague said.

Among the reasons why many in the community are still not filling out their census forms is fear about what the data is going to be used for, despite the Census Bureau assuring that it is “safe and confidential.”

“I get the fear. Many of our hardest-to-count populations… our TNTs within the Filipino community are definitely like, ‘I’m not going to answer that.’ But I would tell them, it’s safe…and we need the data to understand the impact that Filipino Americans are having on a lot of different things,” Katague said.

Another excuse is being busy at work, as many Filipinos continue to be on the front lines as essential workers during the pandemic.

“It’s about knowing how many Filipinos are out there to really say that we’re a force and we need to represent…both positively and then if there are some negative impacts in terms of, you know, getting sick or not getting that funding to those communities,” she said, adding that other ways to get essential workers’ attention are by going to their places of work and bringing the importance of the census directly to them.

Under a pre-coronavirus schedule, those who had not filled out their forms by May would subsequently be visited at home by a census taker. However, the field operations have been postponed until August 11 for nonresponse follow-up and must conclude no later than October 31, according to the Census Bureau.

“We’ve seen systemic racism, we’ve seen these barriers that are out there because we haven’t been able to be seen and heard. We’ve had to work, unfortunately, through a system that has these barriers built in it. So agents of change, the census and voting, are definitely that foundation of getting folks to rise up, be heard and to participate,” Katague said. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

Pope Francis appoints Cardinal...

PAGE A1 t Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, Archbishop Jakarta and Ordinary of the Military Ordinariate of Indonesia; and Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg were appointed to the Council.

Several bishops from all parts of the world were also named as members of the Council.

Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot sits as the Council’s president since May 2019.

The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue was established in 1964 as part of the Roman Curia, the organization responsible for giving the pope assistance in the governing and overseeing of the Catholic Church.

The Roman Curia has 12 Pon-

tifical Councils that oversee: Laity, Promoting Christian Unity, Family, Justice and Peace, Cor Unum, Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Health Care Workers, Legislative Texts, Inter-religious Dialogue, Culture, Social Communications, and Promoting New Evangelization.

Pope Francis on April 14 appointed Tagle as Cardinal-Bishop, the highest order within the College of Cardinals. He is the first Asian to be elevated to this rank.

Last year, Tagle was also appointed as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, formerly called the Propaganda Fide, which is the Vatican’s missionary arm. n

Palawan recognized as ‘best...

PAGE A1 t to contain the further spread of the coronavirus, the magazine explained.

“The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be,” the magazine said.

The Philippine Department of Tourism celebrated Palawan’s recognition.

“Palawan reclaimed its rightful place in the World’s Best Awards.

The citation as the Best Island in the World is all the more important because this is voted upon by the readers of the prominent

Travel + Leisure magazine,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

She added, “It’s wonderful to see that our rehabilitation and sustainable development efforts last year, especially in El Nido and Coron, were well-received by tourists everywhere.”

Last week, the tourism chief announced that a dry run of domestic tourism reopening in El Nido resorts would happen this month.

Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez, meanwhile, stressed that they would prioritize local tourists before reopening the areas to foreign tourists. n

Andreia Carrillo, a graduate student at UT Austin

Justine de Jesus, a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania

“I’ve learned so much about my field and myself, especially since this is the first time I’ve lived alone and far from home,” said Carrillo, who had just finished a five-month internship in New York City when she heard the news.

“I don’t think I would have learned as much, especially regarding other people’s different cultures and points of view if I didn’t have the chance to go here, especially at a young age,” she added.

The rule change was quickly criticized by students and universities with Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology suing ICE on Wednesday, July 8 to stop the rule from taking effect. Northeastern University and Princeton University quickly joined the Cambridge, Massachusetts

universities in support of the lawsuit.

“The order came down without notice — its cruelty surpassed only by its recklessness.

It appears that it was designed purposefully to place pressure on colleges and universities to open their on-campus classrooms for in-person instruction this fall, without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors, and others,” said Larry Bacow, President of Harvard University, said in a message to its community.

On the West Coast, the University of California system also announced its own plan to file suit that also seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent ICE from enforcing the rule. u PAGE A4

A july 11-14, 2020 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl

PH House rejects ABS-CBN’s bid for a...

PAGE A2 t proyekto ng network. Inaampat nito ang daloy ng wasto at napapanahong impormasyon (This decision leaves thousands of network employees jobless, aside from contractual workers, and affects other industries dependent on the network’s projects. It blocks the flow of accurate and timely information),” the vice president said.

“Ang hirap tanggapin na lahat ng ito ay nangyayari habang lahat tayo’y nakikipagbuno pa rin sa hirap at pangambang dulot ng COVID-19. Solusyon sa pandemya, sa pagkawala ng trabaho, at sa gutom ang hinihiling ng Pilipino.

Pero pananakot, pagbawi ng kalayaan, at dagdag na panggigipit ang pilit sa ating ihinahain (It’s hard to accept that this is happening while we’re fighting hardships and fears brought by COVID-19.

Filipinos are asking for a solution to the pandemic, loss of livelihood and hunger. But they are giving us terror, seizing our freedoms and repressing us even more),” she added.

Robredo stressed that the public’s choice in leaders matters.

“Our choice of leaders matters.

Mahalagang pumili ng mga pi-

nunong tunay sa sumasalamin sa ating mga adhikain at prinsipyo.

Kaya’t tandaan natin ang mga pangalan ng kongresista at opisyal na tumaliwas sa ating mga paniniwala upang mapanagot sila gamit ang mga prosesong pangdemokrasya (It’s important to choose leaders who truly reflect our goals and principles. So let’s remember the names of the congressmen and officials who voted against our beliefs so we can hold them accountable through democratic processes),” she said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros also decried the House panel’s decision, saying that it was an “outrageous act of political persecution.”

“Because officials committed to settle personal scores with ABSCBN, 11,000 workers are now in danger of losing their jobs and may fail to provide for their families in the near future,” she said in a statement.

“The political persecution of ABS-CBN sends a chilling message to Filipino media practitioners and journalists: toe the line or get shut down,” Hontiveros added.

She also urged the public to “protect the cause of a free press” and hold people in power account-

Dateline USa

PAGE A2 t Thursday with more than 60,500 Licensed in California for daily cases, marking also the over 17 years largest one-day increase by any Licensed in Nevada for over 12 years* country since the coronavirus UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political pandemic surfaced last year in Science with Cum Laude honors China.

Southwestern University Law Across the country, 41 states School, Juris Doctor continued to see case increases Admitted to U.S. District Court, with California Governor Gavin Central District of California Member, American Immigration Newsom announcing on Thursday, a record number of daily Lawyers Association deaths in the state with 149 Member, Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles deaths over 24 hours.

Former Member, Board of Airborne transmission occurs Governors, Philippine American when someone inhales virusBar Association containing aerosols, or small *Inactive floating particles, that can linger

in the air for some amount of time.

Aerosols, experts say, are not to be confused with larger droplets which are responsible for transmission by contact — for example, when someone sneezes on someone else, or when someone touches droplets and then subsequently touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Diseases that have been found to spread through aerosols include measles and tuberculosis.

Airborne transmission can be problematic in restaurants and bars, for example, where people are often maskless and thus

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PAGE A3 t

Jesus, a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, told the Asian Journal.

However, she’s still unsure of what the transition to online classes later in the semester would mean for her.

“Right now, the SEVP [Student and Exchange Visitor Program] is not clear,” she said, adding that the new regulations are incredibly vague and that ICE continues to be updating its FAQ page with new and often conflicting information.

The experiences and backgrounds of international students vary and the rule change means a domino effect of complications from being unsure whether they can return to their home country, to questioning where their academic plans stand after years of careful planning.

When De Jesus heard about the rule change, she was in Singapore where her parents live.

However, she, herself, was in Singapore on an extended tourist visa and holds a Philippine passport.

In the worst-case scenario that she would have to leave the U.S., she would be forced to go back to the Philippines as the Singapore government is currently not open to foreign nationals.

“It’s a tricky situation for me, as I don’t actually live there and would have nowhere to go to complete my studies,” said De Jesus.

For one Filipina international student who attends a private university in Tennessee as a sophomore and asked to remain anonymous, her home country — also not the Philippines — has closed its airport.

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Filipino international students across the US...

Mounting uncertainty The rule change — made less than two months before the start of the fall semester of many universities — has left international students with a heavy sense of uncertainty.

The new rules do offer some alternatives to leaving the U.S., but such alternatives — taking Reduced Course Load or appropriate medical leave — won’t apply to most students.

Currently, UT Austin has plans of doing hybrid learning of both in-person and online classes which means Carrillo can stay.

However, Carrillo pointed out that international students whose courses are all online would still be left vulnerable.

She recently joined a town hall meeting with other international students in expressing main concerns over what would happen to them and their F1 student visa status if classes had to switch online, especially as coronavirus cases and deaths tick upwards in the state.

UT Austin on Tuesday announced that a member of its custodial staff died as a result of the coronavirus.

Carrillo added that she wished her university was fighting for its international students the same way Harvard, MIT, and other universities were.

One approach some universities have taken is to have hybrid learning for most of the fall semester and transitioning to online classes after Thanksgiving break.

“From my understanding, I need to return to campus and take at least part of my courses in an in-person format,” Justine de

able.

“We must protect the cause of a free press in this country. We must not be afraid to hold those in power into account,” the opposition senator said.

“History will be harsh to those who ignored the most basic needs of Filipinos during this pandemic and instead used it to consolidate power for selfish reasons,” she added. “Maniningil ang kasaysayan (History will come to collect debts).”

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it respects the House panel’s decision to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise.

“The Palace has maintained a neutral stance on the issue as it respects the separation of powers between the two co-equal branches of government,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, in a separate statement, also stressed that the executive department does not meddle in the affairs of Congress.

“Both sides of the issues have been heard. We leave it to the collective wisdom of the committee apropos its denial of the renewal of [the] franchise,” he said. n

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“Because of the situation I was in, hearing the news from ICE worries me a bit because if I have to go home, I can’t,” she told the Asian Journal.

Aside from the promising opportunities and experiences, she chose to study in the U.S. because the fact that her older brother also studied in the country meant she wouldn’t be alone.

Her university also chose the approach of doing hybrid courses and transitioning to fully online classes after Thanksgiving break.

She said her university did release a statement informing students that they were aware of the rule change and were still seeking further information and guidance before letting them know the final verdict.

“Obviously, that does worry me a bit,” she added.

‘A major setback’ The rule change, the student said, was a “major setback.”

Even if she were able to fly back, the time difference and WiFi problems in her country would be a hindrance to online learning.

She said that she’d likely end up taking a gap semester, however that would mean voiding her visa.

“That’s something I don’t want to happen because it would really hold me back,” she said.

She admits there are other students who have it worse, but just the thought that her situation can change if her school decided to go online keeps her on edge.

“There’s already so much going on, and I think it’s unfair to international students because many of them have given up so u PAGE A8

WHO says airborne spread of... more vulnerable.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on Thursday that evidence on airborne transmission of COVID-19 still needed to be confirmed.

He added, however, “I think it’s a reasonable assumption that it does occur.”

Current evidence, he suggested, is “the fundamental basis for why we are now so intent on getting people — particularly people without symptoms — to wear masks. To be able to see if we can mitigate against that.” n

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A

Dateline PGov’thiliPPines engages in actions that prevent protection

NAIA rehab plan faces collapse

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE CONSORTIUM of big businesses pushing for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recently announced that its negotiations with the Philippine government ended in a stalemate, threatening the downfall of the project.

“The consortium proposed changes to update the NAIA project’s framework to ensure the bankability of the NAIA project,” it said in a filing to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, July 7.

“Unfortunately, the government indicated that it is not willing to accept most of the consortium’’s proposed options and the consortium can only move forward with the NAIA project under the options it has

proposed,”it added.

The NAIA Consortium cited the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector in the Philippines and abroad as reason for the stalemate.

“The far-reaching and longlasting consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on airline travel, airline operations and airport passenger traffic necessitated a review of the assumptions and plans to ensure that the NAIA project will be viable in the ‘new normal,’” it said.

The P102-billion NAIA rehabilitation plan came about two years ago with the goal of expanding NAIA’s passenger capacity and increasing flights to combat worsening congestion.

It also aimed to establish NAIA as a “major regional airport.”

After submitting its proposal, the consortium was granted

original proponent status in 2018 by the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority.

However, Transportation Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso on Wednesday, July 8, confirmed the government has withdrawn the OPS it granted to the consortium.

The consortium was initially composed of the Ayala family’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group Inc., the Aboitiz family’s Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., the Gotianun family’s Filinvest Development Corporation, the Gokongwei family’s JG Summit Holdings, Inc., Lucio Tan’s Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., and Manny Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investment Corp.

MPIC withdrew from the consortium last March. n

No new directive on VFA termination despite fixing of Bato’s visa to US

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

MALACAñANG on Thursday, July 9, said the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States remains suspended and is not lifted.

“Hindi pa po nagbabago ‘yung huling binitawang salita ni presidente na ipagpapaliban po ng six months yung pagte-terminate sa VFA at ito pong pagpapaliban ay extendable by another six months. ‘Yan pa rin po ang posisyon (The president’s recent directive about the VFA termination for six months remains the same and this postponement is extendable by another six months. That’s still the position),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4.

This announcement came after Senator Ronald Dela Rosa revealed that the U.S. Embassy in Manila had called him to fix his canceled visa. the development came after President Rodrigo Duterte’s phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump in April.

Malacañang welcomed the U.S.’ move to rectify Dela Rosa’s visa cancellation.

“Ang posisyon naman po ng Pilipinas, insulto ang nangyari na hindi binigyan ng visa ang isang halal na senador ng bayan (The Philippines’ position is that it is an insult that a senator has not been granted a visa),” he said.

“So nagagalak naman po kami na nalinawan ang mga Amerikano na hindi ganyan ang pagtrato sa mga halal ng taumbayan na mga Pilipinong opisyal (We are happy that the Americans realized that they should not treat duly elected Philippine officials that way),” the spokesman added.

Dela Rosa, on July 8, said he received a call from the U.S. Embassy informing him that he can process his U.S. visa.

“We can only surmise that I might have been a beneficiary in the changes in foreign policy.

The President did not say that the VFA will be honored again if I could have my visa back. But he said he was mad at the visa revocation. It might be because of the changes in the situation in the West Philippine Sea, relationship with China and other factors that

Philippine Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

were considered in President Trump and President Duterte’s talk,” he added.

On June 2, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that the Philippines has suspended the termination of its Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States in light of political and other developments in the region. n

of human rights workers, CHR’s report says

by GabRiel

Pabico Inquirer.net

lalu

CHR has often drawn flak from netizens supportive of President MANILA — A national inquiry Rodrigo Duterte, as they exfrom the Commission on Human pressed alarm over the spate of Rights (CHR) has concluded that killings during the government’s the government “purposely” en- drug war — which administragaged in activities that prevented tion sympathizers saw as merely the fulfillment of an international declaration protecting human rights workers.

According to CHR’s Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines released to media organizations on Friday, the government failed to adopt the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders — a declaration adopted by UN member-states in 1998.

The Declaration was meant to shield human rights defenders, which have been vulnerable to various threats — whether due to wartime or government pressure.

“The Commission finds that the Government, beyond failing to adopt the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, purposely engages in acts that frustrate the fulfillment of the rights provided therein,” CHR said in their report’s conclusion part.

“The Commission reminds the State of its obligation to promote and protect human rights without discrimination. This ‘includes both negative and positive aspects. On the one hand, States must refrain from violating human rights’ and actively renounce and desist from conducting activities that infringe on basic human rights,” CHR added, citing a note from the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders.

The commission said that the inquiry was conceptualized last April 2019, in response to allegations that there were attempts from the government to silence and intimidate human rights defenders (HRDs).

Recently, activists have called out the government for supposed attacks against human rights workers — the recent being the arrest of a pastor accused of involvement in an ambush perpetrated by the New People’s Army.

Rights group Karapatan has slammed the arrest, calling it a manifestation of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

a chance to criticize the Chief Executive.

Eventually, some of Duterte’s supporters also claimed that the body has been siding with communist rebels as they supposedly

u PAGE A7

A6 JULY 11-14, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPiniOn

95,590 by August

FeatURes

BY the end of August, cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in the country could hit from 61,332 to 95,590. This is the warning of experts from the University of the Philippines, who have been conducting mathematical projections of the COVID-19 contagion in the country.

There was some controversy after the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team predicted 40,000 cases by the end of June, with Malacañang claiming victory after the projection did not materialize. In fact the projection was just a few days off.

The 95,590 by the end of August is possible if quarantine restrictions are further eased in the coming weeks, according to the UP experts, who had earlier also warned about a likely surge in COVID cases in Cebu City. The government has reverted the city to the strictest enhanced community quarantine.

Government officials have stressed that the country can no longer afford to retain quarantine restrictions particularly in Metro Manila and the Calabarzon provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon where manufacturing and special economic zones are concentrated.

Reopening businesses requires mass transportation for those who are returning to work.

Mass transport operators and drivers themselves

need to resume their livelihoods.

The resumption of mass transportation is seen to be one of the reasons for the increase in COVID cases. Allowing people stranded in Metro Manila to return to their home provinces has also been cited as one of the reasons for the rise in infections across the country.

Fears of the impact of economic reopening on public health appear to be borne out by the spike in COVID-19 cases in recent days. Global tracking conducted by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center indicated that as of Monday night, the Philippines had the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, behind only Indonesia.

The UP team stressed the need for COVID testing and contact tracing especially in mass transport facilities. The team also cited the importance of better testing for locally stranded While the researchers understand that the govindividuals and repatriated overseas Filipino workers before they are allowed to go home to ernment may no longer want to revert to tighter restrictions especially in Metro Manila, they are the provinces.

Editorial

Verses and values for life

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA MY last piece on reaching back to one’s roots while growing new fruits as a young Filipino in America seems to have started a discussion on values.

In this regard, throughout my life, I have picked up gems of wisdom from poets and learned men. I call them verses and values for life.

As a small boy, bothered that I wasn’t born tall, handsome and rich like some of my schoolmates, I came upon a children’s poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Mountain and the Squirrel.

The two had a quarrel, with the mountain calling the squirrel a “little prig.” The squirrel’s response helped me overcome my feelings of inadequacy, reassuring me that I also had a place in the sun: But all sorts of things and weather must be taken in together To make up a year and a sphere.

And I think it no disgrace to occupy my place…

If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut.

Another priceless lesson that I learned in my childhood was from a poem by William Edward Hickson. It was about overcoming failure: ‘Tis a lesson you should heed:

try, try again; If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Then your courage should appear; for if you will persevere You will conquer, never fear.

Try, try again.

Of course, I must admit that in periods of discouragement, I was sometimes tempted to adjust the verse a bit: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try a gun!

But for shoring up one’s hopes in moments of discouragement, the most helpful were these lines from Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind: Oh wind, if winter comes Can spring be far behind?

The transition from high school to college can be a critical period in one’s life. The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, translated from the original Persian by Edward FitzGerald, offered weird ideas – romantic, fatalistic, rebellious – that fed the fantasies of an adventurous young man trying to craft a career in Journalism: Then to the lip of this poor earthen urn I lean’d, the secret of my life to learn; And lip to lip it murmur’d, while you live Drink! - for once dead, you never shall return!

The moving finger writes and having writ Moves on: nor all your piety nor wit Can lure it back to cancel half a line, Nor all your tears wash out a

word of it.

Ironically, it was a visit to a watering hole for members of the press, Soban Singh’s Lion’s Inn, in downtown Manila, that jarred my giddy perspective.

On the wall of the men’s room were lines that were obviously a parody of the Rubáiyát: Step lightly and gently close the door, For many an expensive meal Lies buried beneath this floor.

Here was a den of veteran newsmen who needed to be reminded not to take themselves too seriously.

But I was already too far into my restlessness, like a car careening downhill without brakes. I soon found myself in trouble with the Prefect of Discipline of the University of Santo Tomas and had to drop out of college.

I had also begun to write screenplays under the tutelage of film director, Armando Garces, whose bohemian outlook was grist for my youthful recklessness. His favorite saying was: Live fast, die young, have a handsome corpse.

What followed was a period of immature braggadocio, even a feeling of immortality, fanned by a poem by William Ernest Henley, Invictus: Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul!

In the fell clutch of circum-

Harm reduction

Demand and Supply BOO CHANCO AS we slowly move back to our normal lives even with the virus still very much a threat, public health experts are now more openly talking about ways of mitigating risks of infection other than reverting to lockdowns.

Epidemiologists call this harm reduction. It refers to public health tools and practices that acknowledges risk levels vary by person and setting. As such, solutions should be tailored for those individual scenarios — meant to lessen danger rather than expecting universal compliance to rigid guidance.

With the coronavirus, harm reduction techniques include convincing people to wear masks for the riskiest scenarios, such as crowded spaces, but relaxing those guidelines in places where people can stay at safe distances, such as parks.

Countries like New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan have successfully beat back the coronavirus with harm reduction techniques.

More than half a dozen epidemiologists, virologists, and psychologists contacted by National Geographic agree. They said struggling governments can win their COVID-19 wars — and perhaps avoid further lockdowns — through more unified planning and messaging, steeped with harm reduction. They say much of America’s inabilities to control COVID-19 stem from humans ignoring our essential advantages over the virus: communication, cooperation, and compromise.

“We were stuck in this false binary between staying at home indefinitely and going back to business as usual,” Julia Marcus, an epidemiologist and professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts told National Geographic. She pushed for expanding harm reduction during this crisis.

“Risk isn’t binary, and we can’t expect people to stay home forever, to abstain from social contact forever.”

Jeffrey Shaman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, agrees.

“The countries that have succeeded have been the ones that have had real political and public will.”

“When there’s an absence of consistent messaging from authorities, many rumors and conspiracy theories can fill the void, and that makes it very difficult for people to figure out what it is that they should do,” Roxane Cohen Silver of UC Irvine told NatGeo. According to NatGeo, none of these experts believe the COVID-19 war is lost, but government leaders, news media, scientists, and the general public need to shift their mindsets and messaging, because if the virus is victorious, the devastation will be several times worse than what we’re seeing now.

Philstar.com photo

also recommending measures to prevent a further spike. They will undoubtedly be glad if their projections fail to materialize. (Philstar.com)

stance I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed....

It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

Sadly, Manding suffered a massive stroke that left him paralyzed. In spite of a remarkable fighting spirit that enabled him to direct one last movie, his frail body finally gave up. Manding lived fast. And he died young.

But he did not necessarily have a handsome corpse.

But even before Manding’s stroke, I had begun to feel that something was amiss. I felt like a boat out at sea that had lost its moorings. A poem by Thomas Gray made me pause and consider that, perhaps, I was wasting my life: Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear; Full many a flower is born to blush unseen And waste its sweetness on the desert hour.

At that time, I had been going steady with a girl who was my complete opposite: patient and reserved, while I was brash and short-tempered. She was also unimpressed with what I had become: an associate editor of a national magazine at 16, a screenplay writer and a movie assistant director at 17, and an advertising man and TV director in my early 20s. Yet something was lacking in my life.

It took lines from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Song of Hiawatha, to make me appreciate what I already had – but could lose: As unto the bow, the cord is, so unto the man is woman; Though she bends him, she obeys him; Though she draws him, yet she follows; Useless each without the other.

I asked for Gigi’s hand in marriage. That was almost 57 years ago. It was the best decision that I made in my life.

As I look back, now being almost 81, I do not regret having lived my life the way I did. But if I were to do it all over again, I would be guided by another Longfellow poem, A Psalm of Life: Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem.

Life is real, life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest Was not spoken of the soul.

In my old age, I have also come to realize that there are other important things, such as love of country. In this regard, I am stirred by verses from Sir Walter Scott’s The Lay of the Last Minstrel: Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native

land!

Whose heart hath ne’er within him burn’d...

High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim; Despite those titles, power and pelf, The wretch concentred all in self, Living shall forfeit fair renown, And doubly dying shall go down To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonor’d and unsung!

In September 2011, for the Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora in Manila, Imelda Nicolas, chair of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, asked me to compose a response to A Gathering of Heroes/Pagbabalik ng mga Bayani, which I had written for the 3rd Global Filipino Networking Convention held in Cebu City in January 2005.

I end this reminiscence with the final lines from my own poem, We Hear Our Motherland Calling: When age sets in and health has gone And stripped our spirits bare; We know that you will welcome us Though no one else will care.

And in the winter of our lives, When mournful bells will ring, The Philippines will always be Our summer and our spring.

NatGeo observed that “the virus still has abundant room to keep spreading. But harm reduction can help stop that from happening.”

One example of harm reduction is mask wearing. Masks protect everyone from the coronavirus — including the person wearing it. But at least in the US, wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has become a political issue, thanks to Donald Trump.

It also doesn’t help that the messaging on mask wearing is garbled so that people are confused.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its “considerations for wearing a face mask”: people should wear cloth face coverings in public settings when they’re around people outside of their home, especially when it’s hard to maintain social distancing.

“Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes,

talks or raises their voice. This is called source control,” the CDC says.

“This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows cloth face coverings reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth.”

The WHO didn’t initially recommend wearing masks. Then it accepted the practice primarily to prevent the wearer from spreading the infection. The good news is, there is also now emerging evidence it can protect those wearing it too.

One study published in the journal Health Affairs analyzed the spread of COVID-19 before and after masks were required in 15 states and Washington, DC. The study found that there was a slowdown in the spread of the virus in areas where masks were required, and the slower spread became more obvious over time.

And there is the case in Missouri where two hairstylists

worked on 140 clients when they were sick with COVID-19.

Everyone wore masks and none of those clients tested positive for the virus.

Experts interviewed by NatGeo observed that since the beginning of its outbreak, the US has relied on two options: mitigation via draconian stay-athome orders, and containment of the virus’s spread via testing, self-isolation, and contact tracing.

This dual strategy, the NatGeo article pointed out, “is a bit like using either a chainsaw or a scalpel to build Ikea furniture. It isn’t flexible enough to adapt to the ever-surprising coronavirus, and it’s easily derailed by misinformation...

“The world has made huge strides in understanding the coronavirus, but these conclusions take time. Scientists went from being unsure about face masks to fully supporting them in a few months.

“Their mindsets are also shifting on a ‘second wave’ — a concept originally borrowed from the history of influenza pandemics. From an epidemiologi-

* * * (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

u PAGE A7

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 11-14, 2020

A

Most Filipinos remain hopeful ‘Peso most stable currency in Asia’ amid the coronavirus pandemic by mAyvelin

U. CArAbAllo ManilaTimes.net

by Armin

P. AdinA

Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines may have already breached the 50,000 mark in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, but Filipinos’ general disposition remain hopeful, even if they are holed up in their homes for almost four months due to the quarantine imposed by government to address the coronavirus pandemic.

In a study released by an insurance company during a recent virtual press conference, about 68 percent of Filipinos say they remain hopeful amidst concerns related to the health emergency.

The study suggested that while 63 percent of respondents admitted to being concerned, 47 percent of them said they remain optimistic.

The most pressing concern among Filipinos are their families’ health, and the economy’s, both at 71 percent.

And with the ongoing debates regarding the opening of classes, and through what mode of learning will be used, 69 percent cited concerns for their children’s education.

“This could be two-fold. It could be related to the new learning method, and how their children will adjust to it. Another would be funding for their tuition,” Sun Life Philippines Chief Marketing and Client Officer Mylene Lopa said.

The respondents’ ability to save for the future, their understanding of the pandemic’s longterm impact to their finances, and providing support for the elderly family members also registered highly among the Filipinos’ concerns, at 63, 62, and 61 percent, respectively.

Lopa noted that the respon-

PAGE A6 t

TENTS FOR STRANDED PEOPLE. Private sector representatives donate 100 tents to be used by locally stranded individuals waiting for their scheduled flights back to their home provinces on Thursday, July 9. The waiting area is at the Social Hall, 4th level of NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

dents’ concern for the elderly may likewise be two-fold. “It could be financial, or the care that is needed,” she explained.

Almost half (48 percent) of the respondents said their financial situation took the hardest hit from the pandemic.

“This is an eye-opener for us.

The most impacted was their financial situation. So the need for financial security is heightened even more,” Lopa shared.

However, 44 percent said the pandemic has taken its heaviest toll on their ability to socialize with friends, while 31 percent cited not getting enough physical activity.

But Filipinos have not totally ignored any form of preparations for certain emergencies.

Almost half (49 percent) said they are “somewhat ready,” while 13 percent said they are “very prepared.”

About 68 percent now said they see the need to save more and build a bigger emergency fund, while a majority (57 per-

cent) hopes to have more savings and investments, and to seek more financial advice.

Learning new skills or sustaining a hobby, and living more sustainably and environmentfriendly both posted 54 percent from the respondents.

About 53 percent also said they are seeking more health and wellness advice, and would invest in their families’ health.

Lopa said the study was conducted in May among 500 of their clients through a blended survey conducted by their regional office in Hong Kong online and over the phone.

“We ran a parallel survey among 200 respondents, and the results validated the study,” Lopa said.

As of Thursday, the Department of Health has reported 51,754 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with 12,813 recoveries, and 1,314 deaths.

There are currently 37,627 active cases in the Philippines, the DOH said. n

THE Philippine peso has emerged as the most stable currency in Asia despite increasing risks in the global economy, according to the Department of Finance (DoF).

In its latest economic bulletin on Thursday, the Finance department said that “as of July 8, the Philippine peso ranked first, year-to-date, among the four currencies in Asia that maintained their value against the U.S. dollar.”

The local currency, it added, “remained firm, appreciating from [the] yearend 2019 level” amid the risks heightened by the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, the collapse of global markets, the extreme volatility in currencies and the downgrading of the credit ratings of many economies.

During the year, the peso appreciated by 2.21 percent against the US dollar, better than the Hong Kong dollar, Taiwanese dollar and Japanese yen, which appreciated by 2.07 percent, 1.68 percent and 0.87 percent, respectively.

The rest of the Asian currencies — the Chinese renminbi, Indian rupee, Singaporean dollar, South Korean won, Thai baht, Vietnamese dong, Malaysian ringgit and Indonesian rupiah — depreciated.

The DoF also said the pesodollar exchange rate remained stable in 2020, its coefficient of variation at 0.73 percent, ranking third among 12 regional currencies and lower than the 1.86 percent Asian average.

“The main reasons for the peso’s growing strength and stability are the country’s strong balance of payments (BoP) position and rising gross international

reserves (GIR),” it added.

Latest data showed that the country’s BoP position in the first five months of the year settled at $4.02 billion, lower than the $5.19-billion surplus in the same period in 2019. The BoP reflected the final GIR level of $93.29 billion as of end-May. The Finance department said the exchange rate adjusted for the gross domestic product (GDP) price deflator was significantly correlated to the size of the BoP surplus relative to GDP and the size of the GIR relative to imports of goods and services.

“Despite the pandemic and global economic contraction, strong macroeconomic fundamentals support the country’s favorable financial footing…

Manageable budget deficits and prompt adjustment of monetary settings in response to current developments help maintain investor confidence,” it added. n

Gov’t engages in actions that prevent...

PAGE A5 t more keen on defending human rights workers affiliated with leftist groups.

CHR maintained in their report that most of the organizations “do not subscribe to violent means”, and are just concerned about protecting the rights of the people.

Instead, they said that the government should refrain from Redtagging HRDs, and release those in detention including Senator Leila de Lima who is detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Crame Custodial Center.

The commission also stressed that they do not condone violence — whether it be from the government’s side or from activists — saying that they are disappointed with a group’s decision to illegally occupy a government housing project.

Though CHR did not mention it, urban poor group Kadamay gained notoriety after taking over a housing program in Pandi, Bulacan in 2017, which was originally intended for police officers.

“Pursuant to the State’s obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of all individuals

within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, the Commission recommends that the Executive […] desist from red-tagging and labeling HRDs as terrorists or enemies of the State, and other similar acts, based solely on the fact that such individuals and organizations are HRDs,” CHR said. “[The Executive should] combat impunity by preventing abuses against HRDs, investigating all allegations of extrajudicial killings of HRDs, and prosecuting and punishing all those guilty of such criminal acts,” they added. n

Harm reduction

cal perspective, true waves will dissipate on their own without much human intervention, but the coronavirus is not following that traditional pattern.”

“I don’t see this as a wave anymore. Waves are outdated.

We have peaks and valleys,” one expert told NatGeo. Flaws in messaging are threat-

ening progress in the COVID response.

“The bottom line is, it really is about leadership,” says Aileen Marty, a professor at Florida International University who has served as an infectious disease advisor on the local, national, and international levels. All the experts interviewed by NatGeo agreed on this point.

Back here at home, there is no credible leader in our COVID response… not the health secretary… not the generals… not the President. And that’s the crux of our problem. We are fighting a war without a general we can bet our lives on.

As always, we muddle through BACK RIDE. A back riding couple along Camarin Road, Caloocan City on Thursday, July 9. The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has allowed our problems. Bahala na. Maka- back riding starting Friday, July 10 provided the motorcycle has a divider and handle between the rider and passenger to avoid infection of COVID-19.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler karaos din. (Philstar.com)

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PH starts COVID-19 vaccine trials

by Red

Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the collaboration with five COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers from China and Taiwan to be used in clinical trials in the country.

The manufacturers are Chinese Academy of Science-Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Sinopharm-Wuhan Institute and Beijing Biologicals Institute and Sinovac Biotech Ltd. of China, and Adimmune Corp. and Academia Sinica of Taiwan.

Dr. Jaime Montoya of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development said the country’s participation in the clinical trials would enable the availability of the vaccines in the Philippines, as well as a faster and shorter route in registration of the vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration.

Montoya added the country would also join the World

Health Organization’s (WHO) solidarity trial for the COVID19 vaccine aside from the country’s own clinical trials “Malalaman po natin sa madaling panahon kung alin sa mga bakunang ito ang mabisa na gamitin sa ating bansa (We would know instantly which of those vaccines will be effective for use in the country),” Montoya told reporters on Wednesday.

Dr. Nina Gloriani, professor of the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines Manila, said that aside from the five manufacturers mentioned, they were talking with other prospective vaccine manufacturers around the world.

Gloriani added that the preclinical studies for vaccines must pass the safety, immunogenicity or the capability of the vaccine to produce antibodies, and efficacy, or the capability of the vaccine to protect against SARS-CoV-2 — severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 — the virus that causes COVID-19.

She added that more than

5,000 people could participate in the vaccine trial subject to the allocation made by the WHO. To be given priority are 18- to 59-year-olds with a high-risk of contracting the disease, such as health care workers and frontliners.

Gloriani said the trials for the vaccine might start in October 2020 until March 2021, with a possible extension until September 2021.

Possible sites for the vaccine trial are the Philippine General Hospital, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila Doctors’ Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

“Other hospitals may be included based on their COVID19 case rates” Gloriani said.

As of July 9, the Philippines had 37,627 active cases of CO- GOODIES, ANYONE? A woman buys “suman” (rice cake), cashew nuts, and other delicacies at the Antipolo Pasalubong Center in Antipolo City, VID-19, with 1,395 new cases Rizal on Friday, July 10. The center is frequented by pilgrims shopping for ‘pasalubong’ (gift or treat) after hearing Mass at the nearby Antipolo added to the tally, for a grand Church.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon total of 51,754 cases.

It also recorded an additional 225 new recoveries, for a total of 12,813, while for the first time, no new deaths had been added to the death toll, which stands at 1,314. n

De Lima: DOJ’s drug war probe won’t be thorough, just meant to derail int’l bodies

Philippine Navy’s brand new warship commissioned

by FRances

Mangosing Inquirer.net

SUBIC BAY—The Philippine Navy on Friday, July 10 commissioned its first brand new warship in recent years, a key shift in the long-time practice of acquiring hand-me-down vessels from allies.

President Rodrigo Duterte presided over the handover, christening and commissioning ceremony held at Alava Pier in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, but doing so online to heed health protocol that is in force because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) is the first of two multi-role frigates built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries for the Philippine Navy. The Philippine government had signed a deal in 2016 for two frigates for P16 billion.

“This ship represents the advancement and a welcome addition to the Philippine Fleet, being the first missile-capable frigate of the Philippine Navy,” said Defense Secretary Delfin

Lorenzana.

Navy Chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the ship, which carries the name of Philippine hero Jose Rizal, represents “love of country and fiery dedication to protect freedom and sovereignty.”

He described the acquisition as “a great milestone and accomplishment of the defense sector in decades.”

Lorenzana’s wife, Editha, swung a bottle of wine into the ship for good fortune in its voyages.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the ambassador of South Korea, top defense and military officials. Descendants of Dr. Jose Rizal were also invited to the event.

The BRP Jose Rizal, skippered

by Capt. Jerry Garrido, will be deployed to the Rim of the Pacific exercises in Hawaii next month.

Launched in May 2019 in Ulsan, South Korea, the 2,600-ton, 107.5-meter warship is capable of anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and electronic warfare.

The second ship, the future BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), is set for delivery in the next six months.

The process to acquire the two new ships wasn’t smooth sailing, however. The selection of combat management systems and the involvement of Malacanang in some of the documents related to the frigate deal drew national attention and even prompted the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct hearings.

Prior to the commissioning of BRP Jose Rizal, the Philippine Navy’s most capable warships were second hand vessels— the BRP Conrado Yap, a Pohangclass corvette donated by South Korea and the three Del Pilarclass vessels, all former US Coast Guard cutters.

In the next few years, Bacordo said the Philippine Navy is looking into acquiring more brand new sea assets, including offshore patrol vessels, corvettes, submarines, tactical combat vehicles, shore-based anti-ship missile systems, and shorebased air defense systems, to strengthen its fleet. n

by gabRiel

Pabico Inquirer.net

lalu

MANILA — Senator Leila De Lima has labeled the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation on the government’s war on drugs as a “circuitous” and “cumbersome” exercise that does not equate to a thorough investigation.

De Lima said in a statement on Wednesday, July 8 that the move was merely a “last-ditch attempt” of the Duterte administration to supposedly derail the work of international bodies like the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which has been critical of the bloody drug war.

The senator said that in 2016, she pushed for measures similar to what DOJ is doing now: first, asking for the establishment of an independent nation investigation during the Senate hearings on alleged extra-judicial killings, and second, to invite the UN Special Rapporteur for observations.

However, she said these were not acted upon by the government.

“My recommendation fell on deaf ears. Earlier, in September of that same year, I introduced a proposed Senate resolution urging the Duterte administration to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on Summary Executions to conduct a country visit. Again, my proposal got nowhere,” she said in a statement written from her detention cell in Camp Crame.

Aside from this, the senator — a staunch critic of Duterte even before the latter became President in 2016 — said that the scope of the review would only be the around 5,600 deaths recorded during official police operations and not other attacks blamed against law enforcement agencies.

Philippine Senator Leila De Lima

“It does not cover the killings done by other State-inspired death squads, the vigilantes,” she added.

Recently, the UNHRC expressed alarm toward the “widespread” and “systematic” killings under the government’s drug war.

According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, they found “serious human rights violations and extrajudicial killings resulted from key policies driving the so-called war on drugs and incitement to violence from the highest levels of government.”

After this, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured the UNHRC in an online conference that an inter-agency group is conducting a judicious review of the 5,655 cases of drug suspects killed during anti-illegal drug operations.

Guevarra said that the body would not only review the deaths but would also discuss the affected families while providing legal assistance for possible prosecution of state officers involved.

As of now, only one drug war

Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

killing case has been found to be a product of summary execution — that of teenager Kian delos Santos, after three police officers involved in his death were found guilty of murder by the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 125 last November 2018.

Previously, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines also took note of the alleged “hasty” creation of the task force, calling it a mere “attempt to save face.”

Duterte’s administration has clashed in the past with human rights organizations and advocates like De Lima, a former Commission on Human Rights chairperson. They have criticized the administration for its supposed lackadaisical approach to human rights with the routine killings of those accused of involvement in the drug trade.

However, the President noted in one of his previous State of the Nation Addresses that his concern is human lives, not human rights, as government officials stress that such abuses were not committed during the implementation of the drug war. n

Filipino international students across the US...

PAGE A4 t much to be here,” the student said. “A lot of money, time, and effort is spent for us to come here and get a high level of education.

It’s not easy. And all of that is being disregarded. It’s very discouraging.”

De Jesus expressed similar concerns and added that as someone pursuing two very different majors of Cognitive Neuroscience and Visual Studies, The Philippine Navy commissions its first multi-role frigate, BRP Jose Rizal. It is the first of two frigates purchased from South Korea at P16 she doesn’t have much flexibilbillion. Inquirer.net photo by Frances Mangosing ity when it comes to choosing classes.

“There is a very real concern that I won’t be able to finish my requirements and graduate on time,” said De Jesus.

As a rising senior, there’s also the issue of having to maintain her Student and Exchange Visiby catheRine Valente tor (SEVIS) Program status which ManilaTimes.net if she fails to do, may mean she can’t apply for her Optional PracPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte tical Training (OPT) period after appointed Commissioner Sandra graduation.

Montano as the new head of the “It’s a challenge a lot of interPhilippine Commission on Womnational students are facing right en (PCW), a Malacanang official now,” said De Jesus. “Dedicatsaid on Thursday, July 9. ing the last few years of your life Executive Secretary Salvador working towards a certain career Medialdea, in a text message, path, only to have senseless policonfirmed the appointment of cies interfere.”

Montano, who heads the comCarrillo optimistically said that mission’s science and health secif worst comes to worst, she’s tor. happy her work can be done from Montano, founder of Coma work-from-home setting. munity, Health, Education, However, there’s no getting Emergency Response Services past the need for reliable interCorporation, will replace PCW’s net, which can be hard to get in Rhodoro Bucoy, who resigned the Philippines. A lot of her work from her post on July 7 as aninvolves studying outer space nounced by the agency. and nearby galaxies using large “The Philippine Commission spectroscopic surveys and anaon Women denies rumors that lyzing integral field spectroscopy President Rodrigo Duterte fired data.

PCW Chairperson Rhodora Bu- Commission on Women (PCW) commissioner Sandra Sanchez-Montano It also doesn’t help that most of Photo courtesy of PCW coy,” the PCW said in a Facebook her collaborators are in the U.S., post Wednesday. ment of the Interior and Local University of the Philippines in which brings up another issue of “However, we would like to in- Government,” it added.

Cebu. time difference. form our stakeholders that ChairPCW is the government’s poliBucoy, who was appointed by “I’ve tried working during the person Bucoy tendered her res- the President to head the PCW cy-making and oversight agency holidays when I’m back home ignation letter dated July 7, 2020 in October 2016, is a retired as- tasked in promoting gender in the Philippines and my interwhich has yet to be transmitted sociate professor of political sci- equality and women empower- net at home just wouldn’t cut it,” to our head agency, the Depart- ence and gender studies at the ment in the country. n said Carrillo.

Duterte names new chairman of PH Commission on Women

Studying in the U.S. The number of foreign students in the U.S. hit an all-time high in 2018-2019 with a total of 1,095,299 international students, according to data by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Open Doors data released last December revealed that 3,320 Filipino students were enrolled in the U.S. in 2019 — an increase of 2.9% from 2018’s count of 3,225 students.

However, from 2016 to 2019, the number of new international students in the U.S. has seen a decreasing trend with the 20182019 year seeing just a 0.5% increase.

For many, the rule change is just among the latest of the Trump administration’s efforts to push an anti-immigrant agenda under the guise of the pandemic or the economy.

Just last month, Trump temporarily suspended the issuance of new work visas through 2020, preventing hundreds of thousands of foreigners seeking employment through the H-1B visa.

According to the IIE, the majority of funding for international students studying in the U.S. comes from their personal spending, whether it be from family (57%) or employment (20.6%).

“While ICE claims these measures were taken in the name of the pandemic, I feel like that’s just another scapegoat,” said De Jesus, who is also the president of UPenn’s Assembly of International Students.

De Jesus added, “The order puts the health of so many at-risk — international students who must fly back to or deport the U.S. to maintain their visa status, to those in close proximity to these students. Ultimately, the health and safety of the global community [are] jeopardized.”

She said international students aren’t asking to be recog-

nized for excellence — whether it be the contribution towards the country’s economy or academic achievement — as doing so runs the risk of reducing the international student community to a “dollar value or token.”

“We are simply asking to be seen as equal — deserving of the right to finish our degrees, and of the right to be safe and housed during a pandemic,” she added. “Right now, it feels like we’re being treated as expendables.”

Ultimately, Carrillo said, it’s important that people be able to study where they want to, especially if it helps them achieve their goals and dreams.

“We live in a time where we have been more connected than before, physically — with flights being a little more affordable — and virtually through the internet. People are exposed to different perspectives and cultures and it’s an innate thing for us to be curious and pursue it. Border, oceans, and irrational rules like this ideally shouldn’t matter,” said Carrillo.

“I came to the U.S. for astronomy and had I not done so, I wouldn’t have known how international my field was,” she added. “I think that’s definitely one thing that studying in the U.S. has taught me — that there’s so much more we can achieve when we have people from all over the world pondering about the universe. I’m sure that that’s the case with other fields too.”

As for institutions and organizations being vocal about protecting students, their efforts are not going unnoticed.

“I’m thankful that there are universities out there fighting to keep their international students — it shows us that the work we put in to come here was valued and worth it, and it also encourages us,” the Tennessee student added. n

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The Asian Journal

WKND

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Is Pres. Trump opposed to the From quarantine baking to a pastry business: Declaration of Independence? Deaf Pinay bakers serve up Immigration traditional Filipino goodies Corner in Southern California

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

OVER the 4th of July holiday, Pres. Trump praised the Declaration of Independence as a “beacon of liberty, prosperity, and opportunity for all: “The principles grounded in the Declaration of Independence continue to guide our Nation forward and maintain its standing as a beacon of liberty, prosperity, and opportunity for all.”

However, Pres. Trump’s recent immigration ban is a direct attack on the very ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers listed the various “grievances” they had against Britain’s King George which justified their seeking independence. Among the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence is King George’s “immigration ban” to the U.S.: “He [King George] has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose, obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing

to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.” (emphasis added.)

Although there was migration to the colonies in the 18th century, the overall population remained relatively small. The colonists wanted more immigration to the colonies, but King George was opposed to this, and he delayed and prevented new immigration from England and Europe to the colonies. In other words, he imposed an immigration ban, which infuriated the colonies, and was one of the reasons for seeking independence from Great Britain.

Pres. Trump justifies his immigration ban in order to prevent people from coming to the U.S. and taking jobs away from unemployed U.S. workers. Instead of an immigration ban, Pres. Trump should be upholding the ideals he praises in the Declaration of Independence. As stated on the White House’s own website, “Together, we must ensure that we live up to the ideals of our Declaration of Independence and do all that we can to protect and preserve the freedom that make our country the greatest in the world.” It is clear an immigration ban is contrary to the “ideals of our Declaration of Independence,” and, in fact, was a grievance against King George in

declaring our independence.

If you or a family member may be affected by this immigration ban, you may want to consult with an attorney, especially before planning any travel outside the U.S. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

By KlArize

MedenillA AJPress

AT a time when the supply for motivation and optimism in humanity is not meeting the demand, it is important to remember that goodness is still the rule and not the exception.

Throughout the past four and a half months of the COVID-19 pandemic, local Filipino-owned businesses have done more than their share, staying open to provide food staples like rice and bread for a community in a time of cloudy uncertainty.

Case in point, meet Aina Mulleda and Sunshine Enriquez, the owners of A&S Sweet, a new Filipino bakery in Panorama City, California that has been serving the greater Los Angeles community with traditional Filipino Aina Mulleda and Sunshine Enriquez started A&S Sweet, a new Filipino bakery business in Photos courtesy of A&S Sweet baked goods via their Instagram Panorama City, California. and Facebook pages.

Both born and raised in the Philippines, millennial partners Mulleda and Enriquez were inspired to start their business the way that many people have started new hobbies in the age (Advertising Supplement) of quarantine: out of boredom and the need to do something fulfilling.

“It was one of those days when we’re not doing anything at home and decided to bake pan de sal and Spanish bread for our family,” Mulleda told the Asian “Eto super busy na malapit na Journal in an email. “My aunt deThis was revealed by Koko

by Alex BrosAs Artadi, lead dancer at Club kasi launch ng digital network cided to have her co-workers try Inquirer.net Mwah, via his Facebook post on ko. TheViceGandaNetwork. Sa our home-made Filipino breads July 17 na (Here, I am super and we got good feedback from PHENOMENAL standup co- Wednesday, July 8.

Artadi posted a screengrab of busy because the launch of my them and that’s when people median Vice Ganda is all poised to make his presence felt in the her convo with Vice Ganda on digital network is very near. started ordering.” his Facebook account. digital landscape.

A&S Sweet’s offerings also include ensaymada and pistachio sans rival.

PAGE B4 PAGE B4

Vice Ganda set to conquer digital world via own network?

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Deaf Pinay bakers serve...

PAGE B1 Although the business is young, A&S Sweet’s affordable menu ranges from simple staples like pan de sal ($5 for a dozen) and ensaymada ($7 for eight pieces) to delectable desserts like ube custard cake ($16) and mango cake ($23). Every baked good is homemade and made to order and can be customized to address a variety of dietary limitations. “As long as our customers

are satisfied and happy with our breads, we will do our best to serve them,� Mulleda said.

Both Mulleda and Enriquez are deaf, which, to some business owners, can be seen as a major obstacle that could negatively affect business. Strength in customer-to-business communication is the backbone to any successful enterprise, but in a world that is becoming more accepting and inclusive of all people regardless of ability,

Mulleda doesn’t perceive their deafness as a deterrent.

In many ways, it is an asset that reminds other folks in the disabled community that no weapon formed against them will prosper. “Communication is the most common issue in our deaf community but we always find a way to solve it,� Mulleda said, noting that social media has made it easier for business owners of all abilities to operate. “Nothing will stop us from achieving our dream despite [the] communication barrier.�

Aside from this new business venture, Mulleda is a graphic design student at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and part-time sales associate at Urban Outfitters, Enriquez has an extensive background in baking. After graduating from the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila in the Philippines, Enriquez worked at MalacaĂąang Palace for 8 years, cooking and baking. The couple has also traveled around Asia, strengthening their palettes and further invigorating their love for cuisine and cooking. “She learned a lot from working with other chefs. Her passion for cooking and baking turned into [a] business,â€? Mulleda remarked. When we bake, we want our breads to serve as a sweet reminder of the days when we were living back home.â€?

Though neither Filipina has ever owned a food service business, they hope that their business continues on after the pandemic. Though they started A&S Sweet during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the young, tenacious bakers don’t fear the precarity plaguing businesses across all industries.

As a small, currently homebased bakery, A&S Sweet operates with the knowledge that there will always be a demand for the flavors of the motherland and the inherent desire to serve the community. “Apart from rice, we Filipinos can’t live without bread,�

Mulleda shared, adding that the bakers plan to expand their menu and, hopefully, open up a brick and mortar shop in the future. “And since most Filipino stores are closed, we still want our Filipino customers to be able to eat their favorite Filipino breads for breakfast or even merienda.�

Well-Traveled Salad Dressings and Marinades

Your immigration questions answered by leading U.S. immigration attorney on special ‘social distancing’ episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy!’

EVEN in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, life goes on, and there are many people who have concerns about the latest immigration policies and how they affect their case.

Leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, will be hosting a special edition of Citizen Pinoy where he will answer questions from the public.

Readers are encouraged to send all inquiries or questions via a private message on the

This being FoodTrients, I’m going to share some international-style dressings that can take you on a culinary vacation while maximizing KHDOWK EHQHÀ WV 7KHVH GUHVVLQJV FDQ DOVR EH XVHG to marinate meat, chicken or seafood. You’ll notice that these dressings/marinades contain a small amount of mustard. Mustard serves as an H[FHOOHQW HPXOVLÀ HU VR WKDW WKH RLO DQG WKH DFLG fully incorporate. It also tenderizes whatever protein you are using.

A Dressing from the South of France Tarragon is an herb with long, dark leaves that has DQ DOPRVW DQLVH à DYRU ,W¡V XVHG D ORW LQ )UHQFK FRRNLQJ DQG WKH FODVVLF )UHQFK KHUE EOHQG À QHV herbes. The recipe below is great on a green salad or as a dip for fresh vegetables. If you double the fresh tarragon, add a quarter cup of walnuts or pine nuts and pulse in a food processor– voila!

Pesto to spread on bread or toss into pasta.

FRENCH LEMON VINAIGRETTE WITH TARRAGON AND SHALLOTS MAKES ABOUT 2/3 CUP Ingredients 1 clove garlic – smashed, then chopped 1 Tbs. shallot, chopped 2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon Juice of 1 large lemon ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp. Dijon mustard Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions Using a whisk, mix all ingredients vigorously in a bowl.

Store in a glass container with a lid.

Sea Scallops Get a Taste of Asia Scallops are such wonderful nuggets of protein with a sweet, nutty taste. Scallops are also low in calories, high in protein (19.5 g for a 3-oz serving), High in Omega3-3 fatty acids, vitamins B-12, iron, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. And they cook in no time!

facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw) for the announcement of when the special episode of Citizen Pinoy “Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style� will be shown.

NOTE: Many questions may be submitted for this episode, and not all can be answered in the limited time of the broadcast. Please understand the submission of questions does not guarantee your question will be selected and answered.

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Jinkee posts cryptic ‘Do Not Judge Others’ verse after Agot Isidro’s ‘nouveau’ rant

By Ratziel

San Juan Philstar.com

SOCIALITE Jinkee Pacquiao is keeping it classy after actress Agot Isidro responded to her social media post containing luxury “his and hersâ€? Louis Vuitton and Hermès bicycles.

Rather than responding directly to the actress after her remarks asking for sensitivity from the Pacquiaos, Jinkee merely posted an excerpt from a book — the Bible’s New Living Translation of Matthew 7:16 (Do Not Judge Others).

While the Pacquiao matriarch made no mention of any name, her supporters on social media speculated that this was addressed to Agot considering the timing.

The highlighted portion as seen in Jinkee’s Instagram

Ogie Alcasid

By Grace O I don’t know about you, but with the stay-safe-athome directive cooking has become even more of a passion. Now that we’ve been baking and preparing all our favorite comfort foods, it’s time to look ahead toward the warm weather and lighter fare. To me, that means lots of vegetables and salads.

Facebook page of the Gurfinkel Law Office at HYPERLINK “http:// www.facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw� www.facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw. Deadline to submit questions via Facebook message is on Friday, July 24, 2020.

Tune in to TFC on cable and satellite, on the TFC U.S. Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TFCUSOfficial/) and on the Gurfinkel Law Office Facebook page (http://www.

story posted last night read: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.

Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! Jinkee is seen wearing Gucci pajamas and They will trample the pearls, Chanel sandals.

Photo from Instagram/@jinkeepacquiao then turn and attack you.

Photo from Instagram/@ogiealcasid

Ogie bares testing positive in COVID-19 rapid test but later results show he’s negative

for COVID-19. “I know i have been a little inactive lately. The reason is OGIE Alcasid revealed on i was in isolation,� the singer Friday that he initially tested said as he explained why he has positive for the coronavirus been inactive on social media disease (COVID-19) after taking lately.

Alcasid said that after the a rapid test.

But Alcasid, in a Facebook first rapid test taken in “ASAP� post on Friday, July 10, added yielded a positive result, he that later swab tests showed took another test, which later that the results were negative showed a negative result. by

KatRina HallaRe Inquirer.net

As a “tie breaker,� the singer said he got a third test, which showed yet another positive result for the coronavirus. “So protocol of HR is that I take the PCR swab and that I did last Monday,� he said. “Got results today after 4 days and I am negative,� he then gladly shared the good news.

Alcasid added that he was asymptomatic the whole time.

Vice Ganda set to conquer...

ASIAN MARINADE FOR SEA SCALLOPS SERVES 4

Ingredients

1/3 cup avocado or sesame oil for marinade; 1 Tbs. for sautĂŠ pan Âź cup seasoned rice vinegar

1 clove garlic, peeled smashed and chopped

1 tsp. Dijon or hot mustard

1 tsp. soy sauce

1 lb. fresh or frozen sea scallops

Instructions 1. If using frozen sea scallops, thaw in the refrigerator for 1 ½-2 days 2. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together all the ingredients; add in the scallops and marinate under refrigeration for ½ hour.

3. Put 1 Tbs. of avocado or sesame oil in a large sautĂŠ pan and heat over medium high heat.

4. Add in the scallops and sear about 1 minute to 1 ½ minutes on each side till just cooked.

5. Serve with rice or soba noodles and stir-fried vegetables.

ABOUT GRACE O

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks—The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

PAGE B1 The ViceGandaNetwork will be launched on July 17),� Vice told Artadi. “Ha?!!! Ay bongga!!! Congrats teh marami kang matutulungan nyan yung mga taga abs na nawalan ng work. Im so proud of you teh congrats!!! Pwede ko ba ipost yan?� a pleasantly surprised Artadi responded.

(Really?!!! That’s great!!!

Congrats sister because you will be able to help many talents from ABS-CBN who have lost their jobs. Im so proud of you sister, congrats!!! Can I post it?)

Vice replied, “Im so excited!!!

Nakikiliti na naman ang utak ko (I’m tickled in the head). Im taking the challenge of the new normal. And im so happy kasi im taking the lead.�

In his caption, Artadi could not contain her excitement. “Miss nyo na ba sya (Did you miss her)? well the long wait is over july 17 sabay sabay natin salubungin at ipagbunyi ang pagbabalik ng phenomenal superstar (Let’s all welcome and hail the return of the phenomenal superstar).. ‘THE VICEGANDA NETWORK!’ oh my ghad excited much im so proud of you Jose Marie Borja Viceral,� Artadi said, referring Vice Ganda by his real name.

Just as excited were Artadi’s Facebook friends. “Congratulations VICE [emo-

Vice Ganda

ji] GOD BLESS YOU MORE,�

Cristina Cruz said.

Looking forward to its official launch, Michelle Cuaresma Constantino commented, “Wow I can’t wait longer to watch it.�

An equally excited Trixie Salvador said, “Excited na ko (I’m so excited). Congrats meme vice love you.�

Jepay Shiaya Montecarlo looks forward to seeing Vice Ganda’s digital network launch, saying, “Uy ang pagbabalik ni Viceral, pak na pak itu!!! Malamang sa alamang!!! Itusok mo

Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin

yan ghorl!!!

(Hey, it’s Viceral’s return, it’s great!!! It’s for sure!!! Mark that, ghorls!!!)

Seemingly surprised, Monet Tolentino asked, “Ano yun mag kaakroo na sha ng sariling network parang opra ganon.� (“What? Will Vice have her own network like Ophrah (Winfrey), is that it?�)

Jojie Simpauco congratulated Vice Ganda for her upcoming endeavor, saying, “Congrats! salamat sa Dios (thank God). We love you VICE.�

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 11-14, 2020

B

S corporation signed a commercial lease.

Is the owner personally liable for $500K? Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng

Atty. MichAel J. Gurfinkel will be AnswerinG your iMMiGrAtion questions on ‘citizen Pinoy’: your tAnonG, My sAGot – sociAl DistAncinG style! if you are unable to make the trip for your consultation because of travel restrictions in the time of the coViD-19 pandemic, have no fear. your immigration questions could still be answered even from a distance. leading u.s. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, and the producers of “citizen Pinoy” will be presenting a special q&A episode of “citizen Pinoy” where questions from the public may be answered. be sure to send your immigration related inquiries by private message to the facebook page of Gurfinkel law office at http://www.facebook.com/Gurfinkellaw. Deadline to send in your questions is on friday, July 24.

(Advertising supplement)

Reminder: Tax deadline extended to July 15 amid pandemic

15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.

This new due date applies to both filings and payments due April 15, 2020. This extension is automatic. There’s no need to file additional forms.

Victor Sy, If you need additional time cPA, MBA & beyond July 15, 2020 (which I roger L. orieL suspect most of you will), file form 4868. Businesses who IRS extended the federal need additional time use Form income tax deadline from April 7004.

Tax Tips

Taxpayers who deferred payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020 will not incur penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts estates, corporations, sole proprietors, other noncorporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employPAGE B6

False claim to US citizenship

(2) ang kanyang pagsabi na siya ay U.S. citizen ay hindi totoo; (3) alam ng dayuhan na siya ay nagsisinungaling noong sinabi niya na siya ay U.S. citizen; at (4) ang dahilan ng pagsabi ng dayuhan na siya ay U.S. citizen ay upang makakuha ng mga benepisyo sa Atty. rheA SAMSon ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), o para sa beANG isang dayuhan na may nepisyo sa ilalim ng federal law false claim sa U.S. citizenship ay o state law.

Ang dayuhan ay maaaring maaaring maging inadmissible sa U.S. Ang mga sumusunod magsabi na siya ay U.S. citizen ang elements ng false claim sa sa mga interbyu, sa mga apU.S.citizenship: (1) ang dayuhan likasyon niya sa trabaho, o sa ay nagsabi na siya ay U.S. citizen; mga dokumentong kanyang ib-

Tapat Sa Batas

inigay sa federal at state officials.

Maaari rin na ang pagsisinungaling ukol sa U.S. citizenship ay sinabi sa isang pribadong tao, katulad ng U.S. employer. Para maging false claim sa U.S. citizenship, dapat ay alam ng dayuhan na ang sinasabi niya na siya ay U.S. citizen ay kasinungalingan. Kung akala ng dayuhan na siya U.S. citizen dahil ito ang sinabi sa kanya ng kanyang mga magulang simula noong siya ay sanggol pa hanggang lumaki na siya, at buong buhay niya itong pinaniwalaan, hindi masasabing PAGE B6

THE client is 48. He owns an “S” corporation that has been operating for 15 years. The corporation provides a service to the public in several shopping malls.

Business has been good for the last 15 years until the virus reared its ugly head. Like every other retail business, the corporation stopped doing business in March when the lockdown occurred.

Since then, it has not reopened.

Gross receipts from March to July 7, 2020 have been zero.

The client is thinking of reopening but is not sure when their business will be allowed to reopen, and even if it’s allowed to reopen, the client does not know if his clients will come back for the service that the corporation provides. A lot of the corporation’s clients are repeat customers who have been customers for 15 years. Many avail of the services one or twice a week, every week. They’re creatures of habit.

But even in the case of restaurants that have reopened their dining areas to customers, the risk of getting infected by the virus is heightened. There is no question about that. People have to remove their masks to eat. People do sneeze and cough once in a while when eating.

That’s what humans do. Customers who cough or sneeze while eating may be asymptomatic so the virus is airborne or droplets go to the server. Air conditioning gives the virus a free ride to infect other customers even if they are six feet apart. You don’t have to be a physics stable genius to figure this out. The virus won’t respond to any kind of presidential or executive order no matter how “strong” the order is.

Statues may get protected with a “strong” order, but it appears that the virus is illiterate, or even if they are literate, they just don’t like to read. So, they keep on doing what they do, infect any human within striking distance, and kill the most vulnerable humans.

The body count does not depend on testing.

Strong and high walls no match for “Rona” It appears that even the “strong and high wall” going up along our southern border is no match for “rona.” The executive order says that everyone, including “rona,” must obtain a visa before entering the United States. Unfortunately for us, viruses like these do not carry passports, thus there is no

way that the visa can be issued.

Looks like this virus doesn’t give a hoot that they’re in America illegally. They are undocumented and illegal. Our border guards are on the ball but they are just too many of these invisible critters, trillions of them, indeed, gazillions of them, to ferret them out. They can’t be handcuffed.

PAGE B7

B July 11-14, 2020 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN JOuRNAl

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Company policy versus the law of reasonable accommodation How a sick leave policy fell short of disability discrimination law

Mykyn Woods worked as a Senior Community Manager for Greystar Management Services, a property management company with offices all over the United States. Less than a year after she started working for Greystar, Woods was injured in a vehicle accident. She sustained herniated discs, and ruptures on her lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine.

Because of her serious injuries, Woods could not work her normal schedule of 8 hours per day on site, five days per week. She requested to work part time or to work from home. Instead of finding the type of accommodation that will enable her to perform the essential tasks of the job despite her condition, the employer fired her. The employer informed Woods that under the company’s sick leave policy, Woods was entitled only to 6 unpaid weeks off work because she had not yet worked there for more than a year. The employer claimed it did not have a legal duty to accommodate her aside from giving her six weeks of unpaid leave.

Woods sued the employer for wrongful termination, disability discrimination, failure to reasonably accommodate, failure to engage in an interactive process and failure to take reasonable steps to prevent discrimination. Woods argued that she was not sick but that she was disabled.

Therefore, under California laws, the employer had to provide reasonable accommodation for her disability, which it failed to do.

California law prohibits dis-

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. crimination based on disability or medical condition. California law defines disability (whether mental or physical) as any disease, disorder, cosmetic disfigurement, anatomical loss, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disabilities, which limits a major life activity. Working at a job is considered a major life activity.

The employer has a duty to provide reasonable accommodation to employees to enable them to work despite their disability. Depending on the employee’s specific restrictions and the employer’s circumstances, examples of reasonable accommodation include offering part-time or modified work schedules or reassigning to a vacant position.

Sometimes allowing the employee a temporary leave of absence may be a reasonable accommodation if, after the leave, the employee likely can resume his or her duties. Additionally, if the employee can no longer perform the former job’s duties, offering a vacant position may be a reasonable accommodation, even if the position pays less than the disabled employee’s former job.

Unlike sick leave laws which provides sick leave depending on the employee’s length of employment, the duty to provide reasonable accommodation is triggered once 1) the employer

knows of the disability; 2) the accommodation is reasonable; and 3) the accommodation will enable the employee to perform their essential job functions.

This means that a disabled employee may ask for reasonable accommodation after receiving a job offer, after acquiring a disability, or when the nature of the employee’s disability or job changes. (The employee is not required to request reasonable accommodation until after an employer has made a job offer or after the employee discovers that they need an accommodation to perform the job, which may be after they start working.)

After 5 days of trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury found in favor the employee on all causes of action, including punitive damages (Woods had argued to the jury that the employer’s witnesses lied and back-dated documents to try to justify the termination after she was already fired).

The jury awarded her a total of $1,576,263 in damages. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

(Advertising Supplement)

All creation groans: our need for solidarity to fight the pandemic The Prophetic Voice reverenD roDel G. BAlAGtAS DESPITE the seemingly never-ending spread of COVID-19, summer is lovely, except when the temperature rises and heat invade us. Plants and flowers bloom, and birds keep chirping. And at times, a cool breeze comes in the late evening to refresh us.

I wonder if the rest of the creations are aware of what we human beings go through these days. Do plants and animals see our sufferings and anxieties? Does the wind care of what we go through? Is the ocean deaf to our longing to enjoy its freshness? Do trees notice our tiredness?

We like to think that they are aware of our pains and struggles, as we too empathize with them in their sufferings.

A few days ago, a friend shared with me his loss—his dog just died, and he is in tremendous distress. I called to console him and to sympathize

with his sad state. I could hear in his voice how he suffers.

And I’m sure his beloved dog understands his owner’s pain.

This Sunday’s reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (8:18-23) expresses the unity of all creation, particularly in pain. “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now, and not only that but we, ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”

Here Paul tells us that human beings are not the only ones who are suffering from the limitations and distresses of life. All creation suffers with us.

This truth is based on the Old Testament conviction that the existence and destiny of creation and humankind are bound together. In Genesis 1, God creates people in his image and gives them responsibility for what happens to the earth. In Romans, Paul preaches that because of Adam’s sins, the earth is subject to “futility.”

Here we find that when humanity disintegrates, the rest of creation suffers too. It’s what Pope Francis contends

in his encyclical, Laudate Si. He writes, “The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to the causes of related to human and social degradation.” (#48) This contention brings up the urgent need for solidarity among us, human beings, and the rest of creation, to fight the pandemic. We need to protect one another’s health, mainly if it entails wearing a mask and keeping our distance. We need to adhere to medical experts’ guidance and government leaders in protecting one another against this virus.

We need to root out any division, corruption, indifference, lies, and other ill human behaviors in our fight against this pandemic. For us, Christians, the way to do it is by living the Spirit of the Gospel, which involves love, compassion, service, truth, justice, and peace.

We’ll win this fight against the coronavirus, notably when we embody the Spirit of Christ and the Gospel in our everyday lives! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Permanent residence based on same-sex marriage

In United States vs. Windsor, 570 U.S. 744 (2013) (Docket no. 12-307), the Supreme Court held that Federal restrictions of the terms “marriage” and “spouse” to marriages between a man and a woman were unconstitutional.

The Court invalidated Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which did not allow Federal Government recognition of same-sex marriages under Federal laws, or for Federal programs. After the Court’s decision in the Windsor case, the USCIS has considered same-sex, marriage-based immigrant petitions in the same way as those involving marriage with the opposite sex.

As a result, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can now petition his/her spouse or fiancé(e) to get a green card.

As with marriages between persons of the opposite sex, a valid marriage between a same-sex couple is required.

The law of the place in which the marriage took place determines whether the marriage is valid for immigration purposes. The same-sex couple does not need to be residents of the state or foreign country in which the marriage took place. A civil union or domestic partnership cannot be the basis for a same-sex, marriage-based immigrant petition; a relationship legally considered to be a marriage where it took place establishes eligibility.

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn If the marriage occurred in a state or foreign country in which same-sex marriages are recognized, then the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse can file an I-130 petition and adjustment of status application (if the non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident spouse is in the U.S.) or immigrant visa application (if the non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident spouse is outside the U.S.). As with marriages between the opposite sex, the same-sex couple will need to demonstrate that the marriage is a real marriage and not merely for immigration purposes.

But what if the marriage has yet to occur, and the non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident person in the relationship resides in a foreign country that does not recognize same-sex marriages, and cannot travel to the U.S.?

In such a case, a U.S. citizen can file an I-129f petition for alien fiancé(e), which would allow his/her foreign national fiancé(e) to travel to the U.S. under a k-1 visa to get married.

The couple would have to get married in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages within 90 days of the foreign national’s arrival. After marriage, an I-130

petition and I-485 adjustment of status (changing status from k-1 to permanent resident) would need to be filed. Filing an I-129f fiancé(e) petition is only available to a U.S. citizen and not a permanent resident.

For cases involving a permanent resident petitioner, the couple would need to find a foreign nation to which they can both travel and that recognizes same-sex marriages, and get married there. Thereafter, the permanent resident petitioner can file an I-130 petition on behalf of his/her spouse, who would undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa in the country of residency when available.

Certain other requirements exist to obtain permanent residence. It is also worth noting that eligibility for other immigration benefits is now available to a same-sex spouse.

It is therefore recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada.

Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign?

THE seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this question a lot from our family law clients.

The fact is that California is a no fault state and you do not need your spouse’s signature in order to get a divorce. What is more important is being able to properly serve your spouse with the divorce petition and satisfy the jurisdictional requirement of the Court by showing that either you or your spouse resided in the State for at least 6 months prior to filing the petition and in the County for 3 months prior to filing the petition.

When you file a divorce petition, you have to serve your spouse with the summons and petition. your spouse then has 30 days to file a response after being served with a divorce petition. If your spouse fails to file and serve you with a response, you can file a request for default against your spouse after 30 days. you can also file a proposed judgment for the court to approve. The default procedure can be done even if there are issues of property division, custody, visitation, and support. However, the Court will still review your proposed judgment and property division to make sure it conforms to the policy towards equal division of community property.

Meaning, you have to propose a division of community property that is pretty much equal between the spouses. If your proposed property division is one sided such as distributing

Barrister’s Corner Atty. kenneth UrSUA reyeS all community property to you and giving all the community debts to your spouse, the Court would probably not grant your judgment. The Court would probably set a hearing for you to explain why this is an equal division of community property.

The only time you may need your spouse’s signature is if your spouse files a response to your divorce petition. This is called “contesting” the divorce. If your divorce is contested by your spouse, you can resolve the case either by “settlement” or by “trial.”

However, you do not have to settle all the issues in the case at once. Under the concept of divisible divorce, you can settle some of the issues and set the other issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on for trial. Our office try to resolve cases through settlement because it is more cost effective and the parties are usually happier with the outcome. In that situation, the parties may avoid the cost and uncertainty of going to trial by executing what is called a stipulated judgment which is in essence an agreement as to all the issues in the divorce case.

For issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on, you will have to go through

the litigation process which involves obtaining discovery, exchanging declarations of disclosures, and preparing the case for trial. Ultimately, you will obtain your divorce at trial in addition to adjudication of the distribution of community assets and debts amongst other issues. It is in the best interest of the party to retain the representation of competent counsel who will assert his or her rights under the family code. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com. Visit our website at Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

False claim to US citizenship... Reminder: Tax deadline extended...

PAGE B5 ang dayuhan ay may false claim sa U.S. citizenship.

Ayon sa batas, ang isang dayuhan ay inadmissible dahil sa false claim ng U.S. citizenship kung siya ay nagsabi at naglinlang para makakuha ng mga benepisyo sa ilalim ng InA, o federal law o state law. kailangan ding ang U.S. citizenship ay materyal para sa benepisyong gustong makuha ng dayuhan, kagaya ng sa aplikasyon para sa U.S. passport, pagpasok sa US kung saan sinasabi ng dayuhan na siya ay U.S. citizen para hindi tanungin ng Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Officers, o kaya ay sa pag-fill up ng Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form, kung saan sinasabi ng dayuhan na siya ay U.S. citizen upang hindi na siya hanapan ng U.S. employer ng mga dokumento na siya ay legal na pwedeng magtrabaho sa U.S. Maaari ring ang dayuhan ay may false claim sa U.S. citizenship upang makaiwas sa mga negatibong maaaring mangyari sa kanya kung siya ay wala nang status sa U.S., tulad ng paglagay sa kanya sa removal o deportation proceedings.

Upang maging inadmissible ang dayuhan, kailangang ang U.S. citizenship ay materyal sa benipisyong gustong niyang makuha. Ayon sa mga court decisions, ang false claim sa U.S. citizenship ng isang dayuhan upang makaiwas ng aresto dahil sa disorderly conduct, o para sa isang small business loan ay hindi rin materyal dahil ang U.S. citizenship ay walang kinalaman sa pag-aresto at pag-utang. ngunit kung ang false claim sa U.S. citizenship ay para sa federal student loan, mahalaga ang U.S. citizenship at magiging inadmissible ang dayuhan dahil dito. *** An alien who falsely claims to be a U.S. citizen may be found to be inadmissible to the U.S. The following are the elements of false claim to U.S. citizenship: (1) the alien made a representation of U.S. citizenship; (2) the representation was false; (3) the alien made the representation knowingly; and (4) the alien made the representation for any purpose or benefit under the Immigration and nationality Act (InA) or any other federal or state law.

An alien may claim to be a U.S. citizen in interviews, written applications or by submitting documentary evidence to a U.S. government official, any federal, state or local official, or even to a private person, such as an employer. For USCIS to consider the claim to U.S. citizenship to be false, the alien must knowingly misrepresent the fact that he is a citizen of the U.S. The alien must have known that he was not a U.S. citizen at the time that the claim was made. If the alien did not know that the claim to citizenship was false, the alien cannot be considered as having made a false claim to citizenship.

The law only makes an alien inadmissible for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship if the alien falsely represents himself to be a U.S. citizen for any purpose or benefit under the Immigration and nationality Act (InA), or any federal or state law. Furthermore, U.S. citizenship must matter to the purpose or benefit sought.

This means that U.S.citizenship must be material to the purpose or benefit sought, such as in an application for U.S. passport, entry into the U.S. where the

PAGE B5 ment tax.

IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig encouraged taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible instead of waiting for July 15. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also encouraged individuals and businesses to use this extra 90 days to file and pay the IRS if they owe additional taxes for

2019.

California also updated the tax deadline from June 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020 to be consistent with IRS. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy

Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

alien claims to be a U.S. citizen, and in obtaining employment by filling-up Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form under a claim of U.S. citizenship. If the alien also falsely claims U.S. citizenship to avoid negative legal consequences such as being placed in removal proceedings, he is inadmissible. Likewise, if the alien claimed to be a U.S. citizen to avoid showing valid and unexpired work authorization documents to accept an offer of employment, he is inadmissible.

In order for an alien to be inadmissible, the false claim to U.S. citizenship must be material to the purpose or benefit

sought. In decided cases, the court found that an alien’s false claim to U.S. citizenship to local police, while he was being arrested for disorderly conduct, and a false claim of U.S. citizenship on a Small Business Administration loan application, have nothing to do with citizenship status. Hence, the aliens in these situations were not found to be inadmissible. However, a false claim to U.S. citizenship on an application for a federal student loan makes an alien inadmissible because U.S. citizenship is a prerequisite to such a loan.

ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School.

She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).

SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com.

***

(Advertising Supplement)

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Assunta ‘survived 1st, 2nd trimester,’ shows ultrasound of ‘miracle baby’

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 11-14, 2020

S corporation signed a commercial lease...

PAGE B5 They don’t have hands or feet to be shackled or necks to have a knee placed on. They are, for the time being, invincible it seems.

They’re not even afraid that we’ve

by Cha Lino sucked up most if not all of the Inquirer.net production of Remdesivir made ACTRESS Assunta de Rossi has

by Gilead, this is said to alleviate announced that she got through somewhat the damage caused to the first and second trimester of her the infected human. These critpregnancy without any complicaters are, indeed, thugs. tions, despite the COVID-19 panWith two leases, landlord ofdemic and the quarantine measures fers modification in the country.

The corporation that the client De Rossi showed the ultrasound owns, he being the single stockof her baby via Instagram last holder, signed two commercial Monday, July 6. The actress said leases in the mall where retail they were able to check the baby’s services to the public are perheartbeat, size and weight, but formed. Together, the corporaAssunta de Rossi there is still no way to determine the Photo from Instagram/@assuntaledesma tion owes another $450,000, to baby’s gender at this point. the landlord. The problem is that “I’m feeling a bit emotional be- and Ledesma have been waiting the landlord wants to get paid cause the last time I had a scan, the to have a child for 18 years. The for the last three months of rent baby was as small as a jellybean, if actress first announced that she when income was zero. The landnot smaller,” de Rossi said. “It’s the was pregnant last May. Back then, lord wants to get paid $60,000 fear of not knowing.” de Rossi narrated some of the dif- for three months of lease for two She is currently five months ficulties she was experiencing in mall retail spaces. The landlord pregnant with her first child with her pregnancy, including fatigue, has offered to modify the lease her husband, politician Jules Ledes- nausea, food aversions, constipa- contracts provided client perma. tion and dizziness. sonally guarantees the modified De Rossi explained that the De Rossi and Ledesma got mar- lease agreements. baby was a “miracle” because she ried in 2004.

Should he agree to modify the

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two lease agreements, and execute a personal guarantee for the modified lease agreements?

Is the client personally liable for existing leases?

Let’s examine the existing lease agreements. The tenant is shown as the S corporation, and signed by the client as the owner, for and on behalf of the corporation. On its face, it doesn’t appear that client has personally guaranteed the leases. If he did, then he would be liable for the past due $60,000, and the unpaid $450,000. But can the landlord argue that the client is personally liable on the leases because he signed as the owner?

I don’t think that argument will stick because it appears that the client signed on behalf of the S corporation as its owner. Normally, the client would sign once as the owner on behalf of the corporation, and another signature below, which says that he is signing as an “individual” to have joint and several liabilities on the lease together with the corporation. Or, it might say that the one single signature is for both the company, and the individual to bind both the corporation and the

individual to the landlord. Well, this is a sneaky way of doing it because the client may think that his one signature is just for and on behalf of the corporation.

If it’s clear that the client’s signature was on behalf of the corporation, and does not bind himself to the landlord as an individual, then the client has no personal liability to the landlord.

He is not on the hook for $60,000 lease default, or $450,000 future unpaid rent.

If this is the case, then the corporation can just file for Chapter 7 to get rid of the lease problem and to inform all interested parties and creditors that the corporation has decided to stop doing business and liquidate. The landlord will not be able to drag the client as an individual into assuming the lease liability of the corporation because the client did not sign the leases as an individual, nor did he personally guarantee the leases.

An S corporation is a real corporation with its own legal identity An S corporation is a real corporation. It has its own legal

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identity under the law. The passthrough income effect that flows its income or loss to the owner in his individual tax return does not detract from existence as a separate legal entity. Whatever actions or transactions the S corporation undertook to pursue its business are its own obligations.

These are not the obligations of the owner of the corporation. Unless the owner signed as a guarantor or signed as an individual to obligate himself personally, the owner is not legally liable for the transactions of the corporation, even if it’s an S corporation. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice. Each case is different. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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